Pope confirms British visit

In a speech to bishops from England and Wales, Pope Benedict said he looked forward to witnessing first hand the faith of Catholics in England and Wales during "my forthcoming apostolic visit to Great Britain".

It is the first time the Pope has publicly confirmed the trip, which officials say is expected to take place in September.

The trip, the first papal visit to Britain since Pope John Paul II visited in 1982, will include a visit to Scotland, which has its own Catholic bishops conference.